Career and Self Employment Opportunities in Poultry Science

Career and Self Employment Opportunities in Poultry Science

Dr.A.K.Panda and Dr.B.C.Das

Poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of the agricultural sector in India with an average growth rate of 8 to 10 per cent per annum.

As a result, India is now the world's 3^rd largest egg producer (next to China and USA) and 5^th major producer of broiler chicken meat (after USA, China, Brazil and Mexico). The poultry sector contributes about Rs. 33,000 crore to national GNP and likely to reach to about Rs.60, 000 crore in the next five years. With a turnover of more than 352 billion rupees, this sector provides direct and indirect employment to over 3 million people in the country and has great potential to create employment opportunities with every increase of egg/meat consumption. In spite of spectacular growth in poultry sector in the last four decades, there exists huge gap between availability and requirement of poultry products. The present yearly per capita availability of egg is 46 against the requirement of 180 eggs.

 
Similarly, against the yearly per capita requirement of 11 kg of meat, only about 1.8 kg poultry meat is available per head. Therefore, to meet the domestic requirement, there is a need for about 4 times increase in egg production and six times in meat production. If taken into account the domestic requirement as well as India's share of export market, there is existence of huge production gap of poultry products in the country. Increase in population growth, changing life style, shifting of food habits, rapid urbanization, increased per capita income, increase awareness on health, increase in size of young population, etc., are contributing towards more demand on poultry products. In the current market scenario, the poultry products are cheapest source of animal protein of high biological value. This increased demand of poultry products is expected to create more than 10 million jobs of various categories in poultry industry.

Career Opportunities in Poultry Science:

Career opportunities in poultry science are plenty. One may opt for research, education, business, consultant, manager, breeder, advertiser, poultry house designer, production technologist, processing technologist, feeding technologist, value addition technologist, poultry economist, etc. and many more depending upon the aptitude and qualification. A person wants to become a poultry specialist and interested to pursue specialized jobs has to complete first B.V.Sc and A.H (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry). The minimum qualification is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) for completion of the B.V.Sc and AH. After completion of graduation degree, one may opt for postgraduate programme of M.V.Sc (Master of Veterinary Science) and Ph.D. in poultry related disciplines to become a specialist.

List of universities/institutes offering post graduation/Ph.D. courses in poultry science

Sl.No	Universities/Institutes	Campus
1.	Anand Agricultural University	Anand, Gujurat
2.	Assam Agricultural University	Khanapara
3.	Indian Veterinary Research Institute/Central Avian Research Institute	Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh
4.	J K Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya	Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
5.	Karnataka Veterinary and Animal Science University	Bangalore and Bidar
6.	Kerala Agricultural University	Mannuthy
7.	Maharastra Animal and Fisheries Science University	Nagpur, Akola, Mumbai and Parbani
8.	Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology	Bhubaneswar
9.	Sri Venkateswar University of Veterinary and Fisheries	Tirupati and Hyderabad
10.	Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University	Chennai and Namakhal
11.	UP Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhay Pasu Chikitsha Vigyan Viswavidyalaya evam Go Anusandhan Anusthan	Mathura
12	Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences,	Pondicherry

However, for general types of job in poultry industry like farm manager, sales manager, input manager, plant manager, etc, one may not require to have essentially degree of B.V.Sc and A.H.to start a career. He/ She may opt for the certificate or diploma programmes offered by different institutes in the country to become eligible to various general types of job in poultry industry. Some of the institutes offering diploma/certificate and skill development training programmes in poultry science are-

1.      Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Mumbai, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh

2.      Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi

3.      Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Izatnagar 243 122 U.P.

4.      Poultry Diagnostic Research Centre(PDRC), Pune

5.      Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar 243 122, U.P.

6.      National Institute of Open Schooling

7.      Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University

8.      Annamalai University

9.      Dr. B. V. Rao Institute of Poultry Management & Technology (IPMT) Pune (M.S) 412 202

The list is indicative only. Perspective candidates may enquire the institute of their interest regarding the offering of various courses on poultry science. The BV Rao Institute of Poultry management and Technology, Pune offers the following courses regularly.

1.      Basic Commercial Poultry Management Course

2.      Orientation/Guidance Course for Existing farmers

3.      Advanced Course for Large scale poultry farming

4.      Feed Formulation & Feed Analyses course for Feed manufacturers

5.      Hatchery Management course for Persons engaged in Hatchery

6.      Appreciation Course in Poultry Management for Non-technical/Financial persons

Employment Opportunities:

There are various avenues of job opportunities for those who opt for poultry science as their career. Depending upon one's qualification and academic background, one can find job in academic field as assistant professor, in research organizations as researcher and scientist, in central and state department as subject matter specialist and manager of poultry farms. Similarly, very good numbers of jobs are available in private poultry and related industries for the poultry science graduates. Besides, one may opt for consultancy and self employment in poultry business. Remuneration for poultry science professionals is very attractive. In the central and state governments, one may expect salary between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month depending upon his qualifications. In research and teaching institutions, salary vary between Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 per month. In private poultry farms depending upon one's qualification and experience, one may get anything between Rs. 20,000 to Rs.75,000 per month.